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Macey:
Hey everyone, welcome back to The 海角社区 Rundown, your official podcast at 海角社区
Community College. We're committed to helping students succeed in college, their careers,
and everything in between. Today, we're turning the mic over to someone you've met
before鈥攐ur co-host and career readiness specialist, Sydney. I'm really excited about
today's episode.
Sydney:
I'm excited to be here! It'll be fun to be on the other side of things.
Macey:
Today, we鈥檙e focusing on the services you provide to students鈥攚hat they can come to
you for, why it's important to seek out support, and how it can benefit them in the
future. Let鈥檚 dive in. First, tell us your story. What inspired you to take on this
role, and what exactly do you do?
Sydney:
I'm the career readiness specialist, and I have a unique position because I split
my time between two campuses鈥敽＝巧缜� and USAO in Chickasha. My role is all about
helping students become career-ready. That includes interview prep, internships, job
shadowing, and building connections both inside and outside of college.
As for my story, I didn鈥檛 grow up wanting to be a career coach. But sometimes things align unexpectedly. I was working at 海角社区 as a student advisor when this opportunity came up. You actually told me about it! We鈥檙e good friends and work well together, so it felt like a natural fit.
I graduated from 海角社区 with my associate degree and later from USAO with my bachelor's. The chance to return and help students in ways I wish I had been helped was really meaningful to me. When I read the job description, I knew it was exactly what I鈥檇 been looking for.
Macey:
That鈥檚 such a great lesson for students鈥攕ometimes the best opportunities aren鈥檛 ones
you were actively seeking. You鈥檝e been a fantastic fit for the role. What鈥檚 one thing
students typically don鈥檛 know about career services?
Sydney:
First, many students don鈥檛 even know we have career services, which is understandable
since it鈥檚 a newer role. Previously, it was part of the admissions office, but now
it鈥檚 a dedicated position. I want students to know this resource is available to them.
Also, you don鈥檛 need a perfect resume to come see me. We can build one together. Maybe you want to do career aptitude testing, explore options, or find a job shadowing opportunity. That鈥檚 a big part of my job鈥攐utreach and connection. No question is too small, and this is a safe space to ask anything career-related.
Macey:
I love that. Aptitude testing is so valuable. I did one recently for a class and learned
so much about myself. It helps guide students through tough decisions like, 鈥淚 don鈥檛
know what I want to do.鈥� You help them explore their values, strengths, and interests.
Sydney:
Exactly! When I started this job, I took all the tests I ask students to take鈥攃areer
aptitude, Enneagram, Myers-Briggs. I learned so much about myself. Students sometimes
get discouraged by the results, like being told they should be a camp counselor. But
it鈥檚 not about the specific job鈥攊t鈥檚 about aligning values and strengths. It opens
up options you might not have considered.
Macey:
Let鈥檚 talk about career readiness. Why does it matter, especially for students at
a junior college who plan to transfer?
Sydney:
Career readiness means being able to walk into a job interview confidently, having
a strong resume, and being adaptable. It鈥檚 not about knowing exactly what job you鈥檒l
do鈥攊t鈥檚 about communication, teamwork, and learning new skills. Employers often say
they can teach the technical parts, but they need people who can collaborate and communicate.
Macey:
Yes! Those are essential skills鈥攕ometimes called soft skills, but they鈥檙e really durable
and foundational. What advice do you have for students who wait until graduation to
think about their careers?
Sydney:
It鈥檚 a running joke in career services that students show up three days before graduation
asking for a resume. That鈥檚 fine, but it鈥檚 so much easier if you start early鈥攅ven
as a freshman. Oklahoma is a workforce-driven state, and we need students who are
ready to be employed.
If you鈥檝e already done the work, you鈥檙e ready when opportunities arise. Employers get thousands of resumes, and you want yours to stand out. Starting early gives you that edge.
Macey:
Absolutely. I had an internship that helped me realize what I didn鈥檛 want to do after
graduation. That clarity is so valuable.
Sydney:
Some of my biggest learning experiences came from realizing something wasn鈥檛 the right
fit. I tutored third graders and loved it, but I knew I didn鈥檛 want to be a teacher.
Same with speech pathology鈥擨 respected the field but knew it wasn鈥檛 for me. It鈥檚 better
to learn that early than after you鈥檝e started a career.
Macey:
So what are a few simple steps students can take now?
Sydney:
Start with career aptitude testing鈥擡nneagram, Myers-Briggs, etc. These help you understand
your motivations, fears, and strengths. Then, build a resume. Even if you think you
don鈥檛 have experience, you do. Keep track of everything you鈥檝e done so you don鈥檛 forget
it later.
Macey:
Can you explain what aptitudes are?
Sydney:
Sure. Aptitude tests ask questions like, 鈥淒o you enjoy building things with your hands?鈥�
They help align your values and goals, giving insight into what careers might suit
you. You can take these tests in my office.
Macey:
Let鈥檚 talk resumes. What makes one stand out?
Sydney:
A resume is a list of your experiences, education, and accomplishments. A cover letter
is more personal鈥攊t explains why you鈥檙e interested in the job and highlights your
strengths. Everything is an experience. Babysitting, group projects, classes鈥攖hese
all count. It鈥檚 about how you package it.
Macey:
Exactly. I always say it鈥檚 about tailoring your resume to the job. Use action verbs
from the job description and start each bullet point with one.
Sydney:
Yes! Also, use the correct tense鈥攑resent for current roles, past for previous ones.
And keep it to one page unless you鈥檙e writing a CV for academia.
Macey:
What鈥檚 a common mistake students make?
Sydney:
Formatting and length. I once had a seven-page resume! Keep it concise and tailored
to the job. Highlight relevant experiences and skills.
Macey:
What about references?
Sydney:
Always ask your references ahead of time. Avoid family members. Choose people who
can speak to your character鈥攑rofessors, neighbors, mentors. They don鈥檛 have to be
fancy titles, just someone who knows you well.
Macey:
Let鈥檚 move on to interviews. What are your top tips?
Sydney:
Mock interviews are great. I鈥檒l pull common questions based on the job description
and practice with students. Also, practice in front of a mirror鈥攅ye contact, tone,
delivery. Prepare answers to common questions like 鈥淭ell me about yourself.鈥� Have
a script ready.
Macey:
And prepare examples of teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, etc. Reflect on
your experiences ahead of time.
Sydney:
Yes, and always have questions to ask the interviewer. You鈥檙e interviewing them too.
Ask about metrics for success, team dynamics, or priorities for the role. Avoid questions
like 鈥淐an I work from home?鈥濃�攖hat can send the wrong message.
Macey:
Let鈥檚 talk internships. Why are they so valuable?
Sydney:
They help you gain hands-on experience and figure out what you want. They can also
lead to job offers. Applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings prepares you
better.
Macey:
How can students find internships?
Sydney:
Handshake is a great resource. It鈥檚 free and easy to use. Also, talk to me or your
professors鈥攖hey may have connections in your field.
Macey:
What advice do you have for freshmen and sophomores who feel like they don鈥檛 have
anything to put on a resume?
Sydney:
Start by listing everything鈥攋obs, volunteer work, group projects, scholarships, accomplishments.
You have more than you think. We鈥檒l narrow it down together.
Macey:
You also host great events. How can students take advantage?
Sydney:
We host events like Resume Caf茅 and Coffee & Career Chats鈥攔elaxed settings to get
help and ask questions. Just show up, email me, or knock on my door. I鈥檓 here Wednesdays,
Thursdays, and every other Friday in the Reuter building next to the business office.
Macey:
Final question鈥攊f a student feels lost or overwhelmed about their future, what do
you want them to know?
Sydney:
You鈥檙e not alone. Everyone feels that way at some point. Life changes, and so do we.
It鈥檚 okay not to have it all figured out. I still joke that I don鈥檛 know what I want
to be when I grow up!
Macey:
Thank you, Sydney! This has been so informative. I hope our listeners feel more confident
and aware of the support available. If you have questions, reach out to Sydney鈥攕he鈥檚
amazing. Whether you're on campus or online, she鈥檚 here to help.
Sydney:
Thanks! I just want students to know this service exists to support them. I鈥檓 here
to help however I can.
Macey:
Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don鈥檛 miss future episodes. See
you next time on The 海角社区 Rundown!
